Genesis Genealogy Gospel

~ 10 Men Weave The Greatest Story Ever Told ~   

In a previous blog (4-May-2010) we found the message of salvation in the first book of the New Testament by looking at a genealogy of Christ. Christ and the story of redemption are also found in the first book of the Old Testament in a genealogy of Adam!  (Genesis 5)

In Genesis 5 we find a genealogy from the Creation of man until the Flood—at which time only a few on earth were lifted above the devastation and therefore saved from physical death.  In a future day God will rescue His own by lifting them above to meet Jesus Christ in the air—those who have been saved from spiritual death. 

Genesis 5 records ten men in the following order:

Adam ~ As we know Adam, was the father of mankind—as the first man he represents mankind (Genesis 2:7-18). 

Seth ~ Seth was appointed by God to be in the blood line of Christ (Genesis 4:25).

Enosh / Enos ~ The meaning of his name carries the idea of sickness and mortality. 

Cainan / Kenan ~ It has been suggested by a number of commentators that his life was characterized by suffering and sorrow. 

Mahalalel / Mahaleleel ~ His name has the root “el” meaning God, and the overall name has the context of being blessed of God or praising God. 

Jared ~ Jared’s name carries the idea of a ruling or command, coming down, or shall come down. 

Enoch ~ The thing we all remember about Enoch is that he did not die but was taken by God or translated (Genesis 5:24; Hebrews 11:5). Enoch is a picture of the future rapture of true believers. 

Methuselah ~ Every Sunday school student knows Methuselah to be the longest living man in history—yet he too died! All of mankind are mortal—we are all destined to die (Hebrews 9:27).

Lamech ~ His name means poor or made low—and carries the concept of despair. Our word lament comes from the same root as Lamech. 

Noah ~ Noah’s name contains the concept of repose, consolation, relief, rest, comfort, or grace.

We can greatly simplify the combined story of these ten men in a simple paragraph as follows: 

Man [Noah] was appointed [Seth] by God to rule the earth. With man’s mortality [Enosh] came suffering and sorrow [Cainan].  But praise [Mahalalel] be to God, there shall be One who shall come down [Jared] to die [Methuselah] on man’s behalf that some may be translated [Enoch] to be with God forever. Life on earth brings sorrow and lament [Lamech] but there is consolation, comfort, grace, and relief [Noah] in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

The genealogy of Genesis 5 can further be simplified to the following summary of the Gospel message: 

Man was appointed as God’s representatives.  He is mortal and lives with suffering. But praise be to God who came down to earth. His death brought provision for the Christian’s rapture (future), removed Christians from despair (past), and brings comfort (present) to Christians.

contemplate:  The number 10 is often associated in Scripture with the completion of divine order or simply completion. In the lives of 10 men in Genesis 5 we see the Gospel message (John 19:30) and this message is a summary of the Bible. 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Strings and Wind Instruments

~ Do You Know About the Father of the Harp? ~

Our youngest daughter was a very competent harpist and consequently had many opportunities to perform. Dad quickly became the harp mover and was often referred to as the “father of the harpist.” I did not mind the title—in fact I felt it an honor as I moved her harp nearly 400 times to her various performing opportunities. Then she left our nest and went on to university training and increased her excellent skills.

I was only doing what any father would do. In Genesis we read of the first father of a harpist—Lamech. Lamech was the father of Jubal the harpist, and Jubal was the father of the harp itself!

Lamech was the father of innovative offspring. His firstborn, Jabal, was the first shepherd. One of Jabal’s brothers, Jubal, was an inventor and the father of the harp and the flute. Jubal’s younger brother, Tubal, was a metal-worker and apparently an inventor.

Jubal is only mentioned once in Scripture. “Lamech married two women, one named Adah and the other Zillah. Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock. His brother's name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play the harp and flute. Zillah also had a son, Tubal-Cain, who forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron.” (Genesis 4:19-22, NIV, emphasis added.)

It is not hard to picture a camaraderie among these brothers. Perhaps Jabal enjoyed Jubal’s music while shepherding his sheep. Tubal may well have assisted Jubal in his making of prototype musical instruments.

These three brothers represent some firsts. We learn throughout the pages of history that instrumental music, especially from the harp and the flute, played a major role in the worship of God. Finally, the working of metal became very important in everything from weapons of war to transportation.

As I contemplate this passage, my heart is drawn to Lamech. He was from the line of Cain and in some of what we read his character comes into question. Still, I cannot help but wonder what kind of father he was. He raised three sons and a daughter to be useful members of society. I have lived long enough to know that some great parents are often disappointed in the direction their children have taken—and I am sure that many of us have children who turn out far better than we deserve. The most important role of any father is to raise his children in the knowledge of God and to lead them towards faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning work.

One way we do that is by seeking to model our heavenly Father to the greatest extent we are able. What a challenge! In the end we must leave the results to God—as we continually pray and support our children.

CONTEMPLATE: The harp is found throughout Scripture from Genesis to Revelation.